By MarketWatch
Indications: China’s lowered growth forecast weighs on Wall Street
U.S. stock-index futures point to a weaker start for Wall Street, with investors taking a cautious stance after China lowered its 2012 target for economic growth. Read Indications.
Read MarketWatch’s piece on China cutting its growth goal.
Europe Markets: Pullback led by banks and miners on weaker economic data
European stock markets pull back to begin the trading week, led lower by banks and miners, as business activity in the euro zone slipped into contraction in February. Read Europe Markets.
Read Emerging Markets Report on Russian stocks’ rise after Vladimir Putin wins a third term as president.
London Markets: Economic reports hurt sentiment
British stocks trade mostly lower, as economic data from the U.K. and the euro zone weigh on sentiment. BP bucks the trend, however, on the oil major’s accord with Gulf of Mexico plaintiffs. Read London Markets.
BP reaches $7.8 billion settlement over 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill
Asia Markets: Asia drops, led by tech and resources stocks
Asian stock markets fall, with resource and technology shares losing ground after China issued a lower economic growth forecast for this year and as geopolitical tensions prompt investor caution. Read Asia Markets.
Currencies: Buck edges up; risk appetite eases after China growth-plan cut
The dollar edges higher on most major currencies, reflecting modestly weaker risk appetite after China cut its growth target for 2012 and as investors keep an eye on the latest surrounding Greece’s pending debt swap. Read the MarketWatch forex roundup.
Bonds: Yields up for fourth day in five on Greece concern
Treasury prices edge lower as long-term yields tick up for the fourth day in five, as concerns about Greece’s ability to get private debt holders to sign off on a bond swap took center stage. Read the Market Pulse on the bond market.
Energy: Oil’s lower after China and euro-zone economic reports
Benchmark U.S. crude-oil futures tease the $107 level in electronic trade, keying off China’s cut in its growth target as well as data showing euro-zone business activity slipping into contraction in February. Read Futures Movers
